President John Mahama has announced that government has increased allowance for peace-keeping by $1 bringing the total allowance to $31 per day.
“Since late JEA Mills increased the rate [in 2009] there has been no increment….we have decided to increase by $1 a day, the rate that is paid to peace-keeping soldiers”
The president’s announcement was met with applause at a durbar organized by the Armed Forces.
President Mahama who was there to commission the Naval headquarters, assured the soldiers of prompt payment of allowances which has been a source of concern in the army.
He observed that the Armed Forces was in “a very poor state” logistically after government took over power in 2009.
He said the ships were old and not sea worthy while the Air Force had difficulty with getting platforms to fly. In the Army, there was a shortage of vehicle troop carriers.
“Things are much better than it was when we met it” he expressed satisfaction.
President John Mahama touched on a number of infrastructural and logistical developments in the Armed Forces including 3 new troop transport carriers for the Air Force.
“One is currently serving in Mali with the United Nations, two are available domestically.
Government has also procured four new MH17 helicopters and four new Z9 helicopters for the Air Forces and six new vessels for navy.
“A lot of progress has been made in re-tooling the service since 2009” he stated.
The President expressed alarm at the rate of encroachment of military lands and said government is engaging private institutions to help wall all military lands.
“We have started with Burma camp already…you could see that the walls are coming up” he said.
Sign up here to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana, Africa. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.